Hotel barge cruise in France, weekly blog about all inclusive vacation on the canal

Thursday, 6 October 2011

25th – 1st October

Willow tree hangs over the river Yonne

A fantastic week: The stunning weather continues, I’ve never
been so brown! Cycling was popular this week with the whole family exploring the towns and villages along the route and finding the bars within them. One big family on the Luciole, many celebrations; a birthday, an announcement of expecting a baby and finally the birthday of the
father of the group - celebrated in Halloween theme - the saloon was
transformed. Hostess Helen made masks, host Tim carved pumpkins and all sorts of
decorations were erected. A night to remember!

However, the week was not without incident. Two days into the cruise, the engine's starter motor stopped working after a short stop for lunch, one lock from our destination. Francisco drove the broken part to Auxerre that
afternoon as the passengers left for Vezelay. A new starter motor arrived the following morning at
9am and was fitted by 10am. There was even time to spare before passengers returned from their morning tour in the market town of Noyer-sur-Serin; the Luciole cruised off down the canal shortly afterwards. It was as if nothing had
happened at all, a good team effort by everyone.